Bearing assembly for railroad car center plate



Sept. 9, 1969 J. w GOODWYN 3,465,102

BEARING ASSEMBLY FOR RAILROAD CAR CENTER PLATE Filed Dec. 22, 1967 Can/5 W Affomgg s 3,466,102 BEARING ASSEMBLYFOR RAILROAD CAR CENTER PLATE John W. Goodwyn, Birmingham, Ala., assignor of fifty percent to Fred Hetzler, Chattanooga, Tenn. Filed Dec. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 692,800 Int. Cl. F16c 17/00 U.S. Cl. 308-137 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bearing assembly embodying a resilient plate-like member disposed to fit between load carrying surfaces of a railroad car center plate and a subjacent truck center plate. A plurality of openings are provided in the platelike member for receiving bearing pads of a high compressive strength, such as carbon-graphite, with the plate-like member retaining the bearing pads at predetermined locations for load distribution.

Background of the invention This invention relates to a bearing assembly for a railroad car center plate and more particularly to a bearing assembly for use between the load carrying surfaces of a railroad car center plate and its subjacent truck center plate.

Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, various type bearing assemblies have been devised for use with railroad car center plates. However, such bearing assemblies are heavy and complicated in structure and require periodic lubrication to maintain the assembly in working condition.

Brief summary of invention In accordance with my invention, I provide a bearing assembly for use between the load carrying surfaces of a railroad car center plate and its subjacent truck center plate. The bearing assembly comprises a resilient, platelike member which fits between the load carrying surfaces of the center plates and a plurality of openings are provided through the plate-like member for receiving bearing pads of high compressive strength such as carbongraphite. The resilient, plate-like member serves as a retainer for the bearing pads to positively hold the pads at predetermined locations relative to each other for load distribution on the pads.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a fragment of one end of a railroad car and showing the position of my improved bearing assembly relative to the car center plate and the truck center plate;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view through the railroad car center plate and its subjacent truck center plate showing my improved bearing assembly mounted there between; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the plate-like web member and the arrangement of the carbon-graphite pads therein.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, I show the forward end of a railroad car 10 having a center plate 11 which is provided with a load bearing surface 12. The center plate 11 is provided with a centrally disposed opening 13 therein for receiving an upstanding center pin 14 which is carried by the center plate 16 of a truck 17, as shown in FIG. 1. The center plate 16 is provided with a load carrying surface 18 which is adapted to rotate relative to the load carry- United States Patent 3,466,102 Patented Sept. 9, 1969 "ice ing surface 12 of center plate 11. The center plate 16 is provided with a centrally disposed opening 19 for receiving the pin 14, as shown.

My improved bearing assembly comprises a plate-like web member 21 which is of a disc shape and is formed of a resilient, plastic material, such as polyethylene and the like. A plurality of spaced apart openings 22 are provided in the plate-like member 21 for receiving bearing pads 23 having high compressive strength such as mechanical carbon known as carbon-graphite. As shown in FIG. 2, the resilient plate-like member 21 fits between the center plates 11 and 16 and extends parallel to the load carrying surfaces 12 and 18.

As shown in FIG. '2, the carbon-graphite bearing pads fit snugly within the openings 22 with the bearing pads being substantially flush with or being slightly less in thickness than the depth of the openings 22 through the plate-like member 21. Preferably, the bearing pads 23 are of a thickness slightly less than the depth of the openings 22. Also, the bearing pads 23 may be secured within the openings 22 by suitable means or the plate-like web member 21 may be formed about the bearing pads 23 whereby the plate-like web member 21 is bonded to the carbon-graphite pads 23. The plate-like web member 21 is also provided with a centrally disposed opening 24 therethrough for receiving the center pin 14.

From the foregoing description, the construction and operation of my improved bearing assembly will be readily understood. The resilient web member 21 is formed with the openings 22 therein in position for proper load distribution on the carbon-graphite bearing pads which support the load of the railroad car. The carbon-graphite bearing pads 23 are positioned within the openings 22 after the plate-like web member 21 is formed or the bearing pads 23 may be set at predetermined locations and the plate-like web member formed therearound whereby the bearing pads 23 are bonded within the plate-like web 21 at the time the web is formed. The plate-like web 21 thus serves as a retainer to hold the carbon-graphite bearing pads 23 at predetermined locations relative to each other whereby the load is distributed properly on the bearing pads 23. That is, the entire load is transferred from the supporting surface 12 through the bearing pads 23 to the supporting surface 18 while the web 21 serves as a retainer element which also absorbs impact as the railroad car rocks from side to side during its movement along a railroad track. Accordingly, the entire load of the railroad car is supported by the small support surfaces of the carbon-graphite pads 23 whereby friction is reduced to a minimum and at the same time it is not necessary to provide a lubricant between the load support surfaces 12 and 18.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved bearing assembly for use between the load carrying surfaces of a railroad car center plate and its subjacent truck center plate. By providing spaced apart, carbon-graphite bearing pads for supporting the load and retaining the bearing pads at predetermined locations relative to each other, the load is distributed evenly on the bearing pads and the bearing pads are held in proper position relative to the load bearing surfaces 12 and 18. By forming the plate-like web member 21 of a resilient, plastic material I not only provide a bearing retainer member which absorbs impact but also reduce greatly the overall weight of the bearing assembly. By providing carbon-graphite bearing pads 23 which are substantially flush with the surface of the plate-like web 21 or slightly less in thickness than the depth of the openings 22, the resilient plastic material forming the web 21 is distorted slightly to position the carbon-graphite bearing pads in direct contact with the load support surfaces 12 and 18. Furthermore, by providing load supporting carbongraphite bearing pads at predetermined locations relative to each other between the load support surfaces 12 and 18, I eliminate entirely the necessity of adding lubricant between the bearing surfaces.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a bearing assembly mounted between the load carrying surfaces of a railroad car center plate and its subjacent truck center plate:

(a) a resilient plate-like retainer fitting between and extending parallel to said load carrying surfaces,

(b) there being a plurality of openings through said plate like retainer with each of said openings extending through opposite surfaces of said plate-like retainer, and

(0) load carrying bearing pads of high compressive strength fitting within said openings with said load carrying bearing pads being substantially no greater in thickness than the depth of said openings through said plate-like retainer and With said plate-like retainer retaining said load carrying bearing pads at predetermined locations relative to each other for load distribution.

2. A bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the load carrying bearing pads are secured to said platelike retainer.

3. A bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the load carrying bearing pads are of a thickness slightly less than the depth of said openings through the platelike retainer.

4. A bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said plate-like retainer is disc shaped and a centrally disposed opening is provided therein for receiving a center pin.

5. A bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the plate-like retainer is a resilient plastic material.

'6. A bearing assembly as defined in claim 5 in which the resilient plastic material is polyethylene.

7. A bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the load carrying bearing pads are of a carbon-graphite material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,194,463 8/1916 Bache 308-239 1,200,245 10/ 1916 Sevel 308239 2,871,069 1/1959 Weber 308-238 3,275,390 9/1966 Franks 308l36 MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner F. SUSKO, Assistant Examiner 

